Former City of Tshwane Mayor Doctor Murunwa Makwarela is no more.
According to the family’s spokesperson Reverend Abel Dube, the controversial doctor died at the Leratong Hospital in the early hours of Tuesday morning after a short illness.
He was 52 years old and a qualified genetic engineer with a PhD from Wits University.
He was born in Cullinan, Tshwane in September 1972.
Makwarela was married to Melica Makwarela and leaves behind two daughters.
He was also a pastor and founder of The Righteousness of God Ministries.
“May the residents of Tshwane and his family be comforted in Jesus name,” said Reverend Dube as a parting shot after speaking to Tshwane Talks on Tuesday morning.
DA spokesperson Kwena Moloto responded to the news of Makwarela’s passing as follows:
“The DA caucus in Tshwane is saddened by the passing of Dr Makwarela. During his time as Speaker he played a vital role in building a Capital City that works for all it’s people.
History has no blank pages and his contribution will always be remembered.”
“Condolences from the bottom of my heart,” wrote Cope’s Gauteng Chairperson and Premier candidate Tom Mofokeng in a statement sent to Tshwane Talks.
“I personally recruited Reverend Doctor Makwarela to Cope because of the leadership qualities that I saw in him and I wish his family and all the people who were exposed to his leadership peace and strength during this difficult period,” he said.
TTA president and also Gauteng premier candidate for F4SD Abel Tau told Tshwane Talks that Makwarela was his personal friend and brother.
“He used to send me morning devotional Bible verses every day until yesterday and little did, I know I didn’t receive today’s devotional messages because he was no more,” said Tau.
“It is a sad day for us because we have lost an important person.
He was was a former Speaker, former Mayor and Councillor in the City of Tshwane,” said current Speaker of the City of Tshwane Municipal Council Mncedi Ndzwanana.
“It is a sad day for Councillors, staff members, communities and the office of the Speaker because he is my predecessor,” said Ndzwanana.
Dr Makwarela became a lone Cope Councillor in the City of Tshwane Municipality after the 2021 local government elections.
In January 2022 he was elected City of Tshwane Speaker and in February last year he was elected the City’s mayor.
But Makwarela resigned after it emerged that he was an incorrigible insolvent and had allegedly submitted a fraudulent certificate to the City manager claiming to have been rehabilitated in this regard.
Only last week Makwarela appeared in the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Pretoria on charges of fraud and uttering in connection with the alleged fraudulent certificate.
He failed in his attempt to have the charges against him withdrawn.